Hawker Lim Thiam Fook decided to change his police statement and withdraw the allegation that he was extorted by three police officers on June 2 for failing to produce a letter granting him permission to operate during the "total lockdown".

However, the reasons behind his decision to retract his police statement also seemed to change at a press conference with Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng yesterday.

Initially, it was assumed that the 21-year-old hawker wanted to change his statement because he admitted to making false accusations and that the whole "extortion" incident did not take place.

During the press conference, Lip Eng denounced the hawker, who was with him, for having "cheated" the police, the media and the public.